Peter Kerr, 12th Marquess of Lothian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Honourable
The Marquess of Lothian
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by Walter Stoneman, 1949
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| Tenure | 12 December 1940 – 11 October 2004 |
| Predecessor | Philip Kerr, 11th Marquess |
| Successor | Michael Kerr, 13th Marquess |
| Born | Peter Francis Walter Kerr 8 September 1922 Shardlow, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | 11 October 2004 (aged 82) Jedburgh, Scotland |
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| Father | Andrew William Kerr |
| Mother | Marie Kerr |
Peter Francis Walter Kerr, 12th Marquess of Lothian, also known as Lord Lothian, was an important figure in British life. He was a peer, which means he held a special noble title. He was also a politician and owned a lot of land.
Born on September 8, 1922, he was the son of Captain Andrew William Kerr and Marie Kerr. Both of his parents were related to an earlier Marquess of Lothian. He passed away on October 11, 2004.
Contents
Life as a Marquess and Politician
Peter Kerr's family had a history of serving in the Royal Navy. His father and grandfather were both officers. Peter went to Ampleforth College and Christ Church, Oxford for his education. After that, he joined the Scots Guards, a famous army regiment.
In 1940, when he was 18, he became the 12th Marquess of Lothian. This happened after his cousin, Philip Kerr, passed away. In 1943, he married Antonella Newland, who was also a distant cousin. They had six children together: two sons and four daughters.
Family Homes and Estates
The Lothian family mainly lived on their estates in the Scottish Borders. These included Newbattle Abbey and Monteviot. The previous Marquess had given Blickling Hall in Norfolk to the National Trust. Another family home, Melbourne Hall in Derbyshire, was opened to visitors in 1952.
Lord Lothian later gave control of Monteviot to his older son. He gave Melbourne House to his younger son in the 1980s. He then focused on restoring Ferniehirst Castle in Roxburghshire. In 1979, he also returned the Franciscan monastery of San Damiano in Italy to the Franciscan Friars.
Serving in Government
Lord Lothian was involved in politics for many years. In 1956, he joined the UK team at the United Nations General Assembly. This was during a time called the Suez crisis. He also served as a delegate to the Council of Europe in 1959.
From 1960, he worked as a special assistant to the Foreign Secretary, Lord Home. He also served as a "whip" in the House of Lords. A whip makes sure that members of their political party vote in a certain way.
In 1964, he was a junior minister at the Ministry of Health. This was when Lord Home was the Prime Minister. He returned to the Foreign Office in 1970 for two years.
When the UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973, he became a member of the European Parliament. This meant he helped make decisions for Europe.
Later Life and Roles
Lord Lothian stopped being a full-time politician in 1977. After that, he took on other important roles. He became the Lord Warden of the Stannaries. He also managed money for the Duke of Cornwall as Keeper of the Privy Purse. He chaired the Prince's Council for the Duchy of Cornwall.
In 1983, he received a special honor, becoming a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO). He was also a member of the Royal Company of Archers. This is a ceremonial bodyguard for the King in Scotland. He was also a commandant for the Special Constabulary in the Scottish Borders. He was also a Knight of Malta, which is a Catholic religious order.
His Family
Peter Kerr, the 12th Marquess, married Antonella Newland on April 30, 1943. They had six children:
- Lady Mary Marianne Anne Kerr (born 1944). She married Charles Freiherr von Westenholz in 1971. They had three sons and six grandchildren.
- Michael Andrew Foster Jude Kerr, 13th Marquess of Lothian (born 1945). He is known as Michael Ancram. He married Lady Jane Fitzalan-Howard in 1975. They have three daughters and two grandchildren.
- Lady Cecil Nennella Therese Kerr (born 1948). She married Donald Angus Cameron of Lochiel in 1974. They have four children and five grandchildren.
- Lady Clare Amabel Margaret Kerr (born 1951). She married James FitzRoy, Earl of Euston, in 1972. They have five children and three grandchildren.
- Lady Elizabeth Marion Frances Kerr (1954–2023). She married Richard Scott, 10th Duke of Buccleuch, in 1981. They had four children.
- Lord Ralph William Francis Joseph Kerr (born 1957). He married Lady Virginia FitzRoy in 1980, but they later divorced. He married Marie-Claire Black in 1988. They have six children.
When the 12th Marquess passed away, his elder son, Michael Ancram, became the 13th Marquess of Lothian. Michael Ancram was also a well-known politician for the Conservative Party.
